“All around them were the bodies of dead Chinese soldiers. They lined the verges of the roads and floated in the canals, jammed together around the pillars of the bridges. In the trenches between the burial mounds hundreds of dead soldiers sat side by side with their heads against the torn earth, as if they had fallen asleep together in a deep dream of war.”
Analysis
This quote from J.G. Ballard's novel paints a vivid and haunting picture of the aftermath of war. The imagery of dead Chinese soldiers lining the roads, floating in canals, and piled around bridges evokes a sense of tragedy and desolation. The image of hundreds of soldiers sitting in trenches as if in a deep sleep adds a surreal and eerie dimension to the scene. Ballard's careful use of detail and atmosphere creates a chilling and poignant portrayal of the devastating effects of war on both the living and the dead.
Modern Relevance:
In this haunting passage from J.G. Ballard's work, the imagery of fallen soldiers serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating toll of war. Today, the depiction of bodies lining the roads and canals can be seen as a reflection of the continued violence and loss of life in conflicts around the world. This quote serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for peace and understanding in the face of tragedy.
Description of the aftermath of a battle
“All around them were the bodies of dead Chinese soldiers. They lined the verges of the roads and floated in the canals, jammed together around the pillars of the bridges. In the trenches between the burial mounds hundreds of dead soldiers sat side by side with their heads against the torn earth, as if they had fallen asleep together in a deep dream of war.” - J.G. Ballard
Reflection Questions
After reading this powerful excerpt from J.G. Ballard's writing, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- How does this vivid description of the aftermath of war make you feel?
- What emotions does the imagery of the dead soldiers evoke in you?
- Do you think this portrayal of the consequences of war is important for people to see and understand?
- How does this passage make you think about the human cost of war and conflict?
- In what ways do you think the experiences of soldiers and civilians affected by war shape their perception of the world?
Similar quotes
“In the trenches between the burial mounds hundreds of dead soldiers sat side by side with their heads against the torn earth, as if they had fallen asleep together in a deep dream of war.”
“East Side, West Side, all around the town,The tots sang "Ring-a-rosie, London Bridge is falling Down;Boys and Girls together, me and Mamie O'Rorke, Tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York.”
“By the time this damn war's over, we'll have hundreds of thousands of severely traumatized soldiers trying to put the pieces of their lives back together.”
“I was alone in that room. Of course, there were bodies all around, but they were all dead. They were dead when I got there. Well, most of them were dead. The last few I had to strangle so I could enjoy some solitude.”
“There's an ancient saying in Japan, that life is like walking from one side of infinite darkness to another, on a bridge of dreams. They say that we're all crossing the bridge of dreams together. That there's nothing more than that. Just us, on the bridge of dreams.”